The atmosphere at the International Bologna Children’s Book Fair was electric. Clearly, though, there were three simultaneous fairs taking place, and their story lines aren’t identical. Here’s a guided tour.

Why is it that publishers downplay the fact that some of their books have been translated? It’s time for them—and librarians—to help international books to strut their stuff—to become visible introductions to ways of thinking, seeing, and feeling that expand our sense of what it is to be alive in the world.

“What, are you crazy? It’s all about the money.” According to a video secretly recorded by a group called Project Veritas, these are the exact words of a (since-fired) executive at a major publishing company. Is the Common Core all about the money? Marc Aronson responds.

It is a form of generosity for authors to give young adults access to important histories—histories that are no less crucial simply because they are not yet required reading or don’t appear on standardized tests.

The challenge for nonfiction writers is to discover the best pathways into the world in any form, to build a compelling narrative in words, but, also, to find ways to weave in the sounds, the images, the videos that best complement the text.

The field of nonfiction is growing and changing and it’s time for librarians to take a closer look at what defines “excellence.” At ALA annual, YALSA will be considering its nonfiction award criteria. The discussion begins here.

Last month a new prize was announced: Mathical Books for Kids from Tots to Teens. The prize is sponsored by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI)—a non-profit that focuses on research and works to deepen appreciation of mathematics across all age levels—and the Children’s Book Council (CBC).

A central challenge in writing nonfiction for young adults is providing context. But what is context? The bread that holds it the sandwich together, or the meal’s nutritional value? It’s something to chew over.

A recent news article offered a fascinating graphic on American jobs that pay $40–80,000 a year, highlighting whether these jobs have grown or declined between the years 1980–2012. Where does librarianship fit into the picture?

The Italian media consultant Marcello Vena argues that we are in an “attention economy.” Our problem is not to locate media, but to find the time to read, watch, listen to, or play it. How does this relate to the role and function of the school librarian? Read on.